Air Canada has today announced a new break-through policy allowing a 50% discount for any customers who wish to purchase a seat to accommodate a musical instrument.

The Canadian airline has also announced that all passengers travelling with musical instruments as carry-on luggage, will now be invited to pre-board ahead of general boarding to ensure convenient and secure stowing.

The announcement comes just months after Air Canada published a transportation policy forbidding violas from being brought onboard – and after an incident last year at Toronto airport where violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman was abandoned by an Air Canada disability assistant.